TVA Nuclear Employees Receive Nuclear Plant Operator Licenses

June 8, 2007

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Eight TVA Nuclear employees have passed exams administered by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and received licenses that authorize them to perform and supervise functions associated with the operation of TVA’s nuclear power plants.

“These employees have demonstrated a level of knowledge and proficiency to obtain these licenses that relatively few people in our industry achieve," said TVA Chief Nuclear Officer Bill Campbell. “The process required long hours of studying, extensive hands-on training and comprehensive testing. We recognize the sacrifices they have made and appreciate their dedication and commitment, as well as the support of their families and friends.”

Two employees passed exams to become reactor operators at TVA’s Watts Bar Nuclear Plant near Spring City, Tenn., and six employees at Watts Bar and Sequoyah nuclear plants successfully completed exams to become senior reactor operators.

Watts Bar employees who passed exams to become reactor operators were Jim Hill, Sweetwater; and Adam Newport, Spring City. Watts Bar employees who received their senior reactor operator licenses included Brian McIlnay, Athens; Charlie Touchstone, Knoxville; and Greg Wallace, Ooltewah.

Sequoyah employees who passed exams to become senior reactor operators were Mike Brubaker, Soddy Daisy; Van Ford, Ooltewah; and Mark Ragsdale, Trenton, Ga.

To earn an operator license under TVA’s program, employees must meet specific educational and experience requirements. They must complete 18 months of training in the classroom, in the plant, and in the simulator, which is a replica of the control room--the main control center for the plant.

At the end of the training program, the NRC administers exams for the operators to become licensed by the NRC, which oversees U.S. nuclear power plants. Operators must complete at least 200 hours of training annually and pass license re-examinations each year to ensure they maintain high knowledge and skill levels.

TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self financed. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 8.7 million consumers in seven southeastern states. TVA also manages the Tennessee River and its tributaries to provide multiple benefits, including flood damage reduction, navigation, water quality and recreation.

Media Contact

Kay Whittenburg, Chattanooga, (423) 751-7152
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000

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